Former County Commissioner Bob “Road Warrior” Honts has filed to run as a Republican for Travis County Judge, a job now held by Democrat Sam Biscoe. Honts, whose tenure on the court was characterized by controversy and legal troubles, tried to make a comeback in 1998 in a race for Pct. 2 commissioner but lost the GOP primary to little-known Jim Shaw. Biscoe, who will seek re-election, said some Honts allies had recently asked him to appoint the ex-Commish to the Pct. 3 vacancy. “I told them to have [Honts] send me a résumé and I’d take a look at it,” said Biscoe, who last week appointed Margaret Moore to the seat. “He never submitted a résumé, but he did file to run for county judge. It does make you wonder what his strategy will be.”
The race for Texas House District 51 is taking shape with a growing field of viable Democratic contenders: Sam Guzman, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, is the latest to file for the seat. He joins attorney Lulu Flores and Eddie Rodriguez, former chief of staff to retiring District 51 Rep. Glen Maxey. Another possible prospect, Marcos de Leon, a former county commissioner and a member of the El Concilio coalition of East Austin neighborhood groups, is said to be weighing his options. Filing deadline is Jan. 2.
State Sen. Mike Moncrief, D-Ft. Worth, announced Dec. 20 that he will retire from the seat he has held since 1990 when his current term expires. Longtime South Texas Sen. Carlos Truan also announced he will not seek re-election in 2002, and it remains unclear who will run for his vacant seat.
This article appears in December 28 • 2001.